Giant Leopard Moth

The Giant Leopard Moth (Hypercompe scribonia) is a moth of the family Erebidae. They are distributed through North America from southern Ontario, and southern and eastern United States through New England, Mexico, and south to Panama. The obsolete name Ecpantheria scribonia is still occasionally encountered.

The 76 mm wingspan of this species is average. This moth has dazzling white wings covered in a pattern of solid and hollow black spots. The underside of the abdomen is white with solid black spots, while the overside is dark blue with orange patterns. Males also have a thin yellow line on the sides. Their legs are banded in black and white. Because they are entirely nocturnal, adult moths rarely fly before dusk. The adult male of this species develops to a length of around 51 mm, while the adult female can reach a maximum height of 30 mm.